Water supply interruptions loom over NCR as La Mesa dam hits ‘low critical level’

Manila residents were told to brace for possible water interruptions as the water supply from the La Mesa Dam reservoir went down to what is considered as a "low critical level" on Thursday morning.

In an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Manila Water corporate communications head Jeric Sevilla said the dam's supply was at 72.51 meters as of 8 a.m., which was below the standard operating level of 78 to 79 meters.

"Talagang bumababa siya. Ito ay dahil na rin sa talagang malakas ang demand natin nitong panahong ito. Mas maraming populasyon, mas marami ang construction, mas mainit at mas malakas ang demand for summer," he said.

Nevertheless, the official pointed out that it was still above the "very critical" 69-meter threshold for the La Mesa reservoir.

"Mino-monitor natin 'yon so, maari, tinitignan natin kung medyo mako-control 'yun talagang mabilis na pagbaba ng tubig du'n sa La Mesa Dam dahil kapag umabot tayo du'n sa 69 [meters], baka 'yung low pressure, magkaroon na tayo ng mga areas ng Metro Manila, medyo magkakaroon talaga ng water interruption," he said.

However, Sevilla said Manila Water was prompted to make "supply adjustments" in the operations of the East La Mesa treatment plant that may affect water supply in higher-level areas such as Marikina, San Mateo, and Rodriguez, Rizal.

"Dahil kung umabot tayo sa level na yon, kinakailangan nating i-shut down 'yung operations ng ating East La Mesa treatment plant at lahat ng tubig ay manggagaling na dito sa ating Balara treatment plant," he said.

For the meantime, Sevilla reminded consumers that the approach to conserving water should be "two-pronged."

"One is on the supplying side, 'yung po 'yung ginagawa nu'ng concessionaire of the water, but at the same time, the demand side naman nu'ng mga customers," he said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News